Vizag BJP MLA Seeks Dual-Airport Model for Visakhapatnam
Vishnu Kumar Raju clarified that he is not opposed to the inauguration or operation of the new airport
Visakhapatnam: BJP senior leader and Vizag North MLA P. Vishnu Kumar Raju on Sunday reiterated his opposition to the state government’s plan to shift all commercial flight operations from the existing Visakhapatnam International Airport to the upcoming Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, which is scheduled to begin operations from July 9.
Vishnu Kumar Raju clarified that he is not opposed to the inauguration or operation of the new airport. But he insisted that the existing facility continue to handle short-distance domestic flights. He maintained that international and long-haul services could be routed through Bhogapuram, while Visakhapatnam airport remains operational for regional connectivity.
“What is the loss in having two airports serving a major city?” the senior BJP leader asked.
Drawing a parallel with the government’s proposal to develop a new airport for Amaravati while continuing operations at Gannavaram, Vishnu Kumar Raju questioned why Visakhapatnam could not adopt a similar dual-airport model.
The BJP MLA highlighted that his concerns are not about infrastructure but accessibility. He pointed to increasing traffic congestion and said commuting to Bhogapuram might prove difficult for passengers. “For Vijayawada, I can leave home 30 minutes earlier and reach the airport comfortably. For Bhogapuram, even starting two hours in advance may not guarantee that I will reach in time,” he maintained.
Vishnu Kumar Raju warned that closing civilian operations at Visakhapatnam airport could undermine the city’s image as an investment hub. “On one hand, we are saying Visakhapatnam is attracting global companies. On the other hand, we are preparing for a situation where the city itself will not have an airport,” he stated.
In a sharp comment, the senior BJP leader likened the proposal to ending a decades-old relationship. “How can someone ask for a divorce after 62 years of marriage? Instead of separating the two airports, why not make them work together,” he pointed out.
Vishnu Kumar Raju urged Chief Minister N. Chandrababu and Union Minister K. Rammohan Naidu to retain limited civilian operations from the Visakhapatnam airport, stressing that the city’s growth and convenience of its residents depended on it.
